Fencing system

ABSTRACT

A fencing system includes an anchor that is insertable into the ground and a pole having an end that is mounted over the anchor such that the pole is supported by the anchor. A fastener is located on the pole and is used to secure fencing material to the pole.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/156,546 filed May 28, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is directed to a fencing system. Moreparticularly, the present invention is directed to a lightweight fencingsystem that can be easily and quickly constructed or disassembled.

[0004] 2. Reference to Related Art

[0005] It is often said that good fences make for good neighbors.Therefore, it should be no surprise that a number of fencing systems arereadily available on the open market. One of the most popular systems isthe traditional chain link fence. Other well-known systems include theprivacy fence, which is well known in suburban America, and the barbedwire fence, which has particular utility in keeping livestock in andtrespassers out.

[0006] Much of the fencing that is encountered in daily life is intendedto be installed as part of a permanent structure. The materials used aremanufactured from heavy, durable materials that are designed towithstand punishment and last for a significant period of time. Oneexample of this type of construction is traditional chain link fenceposts that are designed to be driven far into the ground and may even besupported in a concrete foundation. However, on occasion it may becomenecessary to construct only a temporary fence, rather than a permanentstructure. For example, a temporary fence structure would permit theuser to protect gardens from rabbits during the growing season or adamaged golf green from trespassers while the green undergoes repair. Inthese and other instances, the use of traditional heavy (and permanent)fencing materials is not required or desired. Therefore, it would beadvantageous to have a lightweight fencing system that may be easilyconstructed and disassembled without having to resort to elaborate andtime-consuming construction techniques.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,664 discloses a fence system that includestubular plastic posts that are positioned over an anchor assembly.Tubular plastic rails that are connected by plastic couplings connectthe posts.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,868 discloses a slit fence. The slit fenceincludes a plastic post and a number of post units that are positionedover the posts. Each post unit is adapted to receive a stabilizing unitfor use in securing fencing material to the post unit and thus the post.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A fencing system includes an anchor that is insertable into theground and a pole having an end that is mounted over and around theanchor such that the pole is supported by the anchor. A fastener islocated on the pole and is used to secure fencing material to the pole.The anchor is constructed of aluminum and has four longitudinallyextending flange portions. The pole is also constructed of aluminum andis slidably mounted over and around the anchor such that it is supportedin a substantially vertical position relative to the ground. Thefastener on the pole is a mounting clip such as an inverted V-clip.

[0010] A gate constructed of a pair of side members and a pair of crossmembers that are joined by elbow joint units may be attached to a poleby hinge members to provide a user with access into the area enclosed bythe fencing system.

[0011] The fencing material is preferably a sheet or roll of polymericmesh material. However, other materials such as metal wire fencing, ropeor individual strands of material may also be used as fencing material.

[0012] In another embodiment, the anchor is constructed to include astake portion and a pole support portion. A base member is removablysecured to the anchor and ensures that a user does not drive the stakeportion of the anchor too far into the ground. The base member alsoserves to support the pole member a consistent position/height such thata user may easy dig around the pole/anchor as a means of burying thefencing material in the ground.

[0013] In a further embodiment a mallet and pole level are used tosecure the anchors and poles in the ground in a vertical (or otherpreferred) orientation. A sprinkler assembly is provided that isremovably mounted to a pole. The further embodiment includes analternative gate assembly. The gate assembly includes a connector lockand a barrier. The connector lock is operable to releasably connect agate pole with a second pole. The barrier is positioned at the base ofthe gate assembly and provides effective protection against animals thatmight otherwise burrow or dig under the gate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] A clear understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like parts throughout and wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of afencing system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the anchor and pole of the fencingsystem shown in FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a side environmental view showing the anchor partiallyembedded in the ground and the pole;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an elbow joint unit for a gate;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a front view of the fence and gate constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a pole and mounting clip;

[0021]FIG. 7A perspective view of a pole showing an alternative meansfor connecting the fencing material;

[0022]FIG. 7B is a top cutaway view of a pole showing a furtheralternative means for connecting the fencing material;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a side view of a hinge for a gate assembly of thepresent invention;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a top planar view of a hinge for a gate assembly of thepresent invention;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fencing system constructed inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an anchor constructedin accordance with the alternative embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a top planar view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a side view of the anchor constructed in accordancewith the alternative embodiment;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fencing system from belowground level including an alternative gate assembly;

[0030]FIG. 15 is a cutaway partial perspective view of the gate assemblyof FIG. 14;

[0031]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a connector lock for use with thegate assembly of FIG. 4;

[0032]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a pole level for use with thefencing system of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 18 is a side partial cutaway view of the pole level of FIG.17;

[0034]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an anvil for use with an anchorof the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 20 is a side cutaway view of the anvil of FIG. 19; and

[0036]FIG. 21 is a side cutaway view of a sprinkler assembly for usewith the fencing system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a fencing system 10constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Preferably, the fencing system 10 includes an anchor 12 thatis designed to be embedded at least partially into the ground and a pole14 that is mounted over and supported by the anchor 12. A fastener 16 islocated on the pole 14 and used for a securing fencing material 18 tothe pole 14.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the anchor 12 of the presentinvention is preferably constructed of aluminum or some otherlightweight metal or metal alloy. However, it will be appreciated thatthe anchor 12 may also be a polymeric rod (e.g., a hardened plastic) orbar that is capable of being hammered or otherwise forcibly embedded (atleast partially) into the ground “G” (see FIG. 3).

[0039] As seen in FIG. 2, the anchor 12 includes a body 20 having across or “X” shape such that the anchor 12 has four longitudinallyextending flange portions 22. The anchor 12 has a pair of ends 24 thatare flat (being perpendicular to the flange portions 22), which assistsa user in striking the anchor 12 with a hammer or like device (notshown). Alternatively, one or both of the ends 24 of each of the flangeportions 22 may be cropped, as at 26, proximate the ends 24 of theanchor 12 at a 45° angle relative to the ends 24. As a still furtheralternative, the user may fit a removable adapter (not shown) having anend face complementary to the shape of the anchor 12 over an end 24 ofthe anchor to directly absorb the impact of a hammer strike.

[0040] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the pole 14 is an elongated tubularpole 14 having a pair of open ends 28, 29. The pole 14 is preferablyconstructed of aluminum or some other lightweight metal or metal alloy.However, it will be appreciated that the pole 14 may also be constructedof a polymeric material, such as plastic. As best shown in FIG. 3, theopen end 28 of the pole 14 is slidably mounted over and around anchor 12as the anchor 12 extends (at least partially) from the ground “G” (seeFIG. 3). The anchor 12 and pole 14 are arranged such that the pole 14 issupported in a substantially vertical position relative to the ground“G”. Although, it will be appreciated that the anchor 12 and pole 14 maybe arranged such that the pole 14 is supported on the anchor 12 at anangle that is less than 90° to the ground “G”. A stop collar 29 having awedge portion 31 is mounted on the open end 28 of the pole. The wedgeportion 31 projects into an interior of the stop collar 29 and isdesigned to be slidably positioned between a pair of flange portions 22as the pole 14 is mounted over the anchor 12. When installed, the stopcollar 29 prohibits the rotation of the pole 14 around the anchor 12.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7B, a fastener 16 is positioned on thepole 14 of the present invention. The fastener 16 is preferably amounting clip 30 such as a looped cable clip 33. However, the fastener16 may also be a separate clip element (e.g., a hook) that is glued orotherwise attached to the pole 14 or, as seen in FIG. 7A an invertedV-clip that is cut into the pole 14. As shown in FIG. 7B, the fasteners16 of the pole 14 may alternatively include two or more holes 32 throughwhich passes a tie member 34 (e.g., a string, twist tie, etc.). The tiemember 34 is passed through the holes 32 and the fence material 18 andthen knotted or tightened to secure the fencing material 18 in place.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 7A-9, there is shown a gateassembly 36 for use with the fencing system 10 of the present invention.The gate assembly 36 is constructed from a pair of side members 38 and apair of cross members 40 that are connected by elbow joint units 42 (seeFIG. 4). The side members 38 and cross members 40 are constructed in amanner similar to the poles 14. Therefore, the side member 38 and crossmembers 40 include fasteners 16 along their respective lengths. As seenin FIGS. 4 and 5, when the pole 14 is constructed of a plastic, it ispreferable that the elbow joint unit 42 of the gate assembly 36 is aplastic tubular structure having a cutout portion 44 and hinge 46 (seeFIG. 4). When the pole 14 is constructed of aluminum (or like material),the elbow joint unit 42 is preferably constructed from two tubes ofaluminum or other lightweight material by cutting and welding the endsof the tubes as is well known in the art. The elbow joint units 42 aresecured to the side members 38 and cross members 40 by plastic rivets(not shown). The elbow joint units 42 can also be frictionally mountedto the side members 38 and cross members 40.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, there is shown a gate hinge 48for use with the gate assembly 36 of the present invention. The gatehinge 48 includes a first hinge member 50 that is secured to a pole 14and a second hinge member 52 that is secured to a side member 38 of thegate assembly 36. The hinge members 50, 52 are identical to each otherbut are arranged in an inverted fashion with respect to each other onthe pole 14 and side member 38. The hinge members 50, 52 each include atubular portion 54 that is securable about the pole 14 or side member 38and an arm 56 that extends from the tubular portion 54 of the hingemembers 50, 52. The arm 56 defines a hinge aperture 58 through which ispassed a pin 60 (see FIG. 8) or similar type of structure to movablyconnect the first 50 and second 52 hinge members.

[0044] The fencing material 18 of the present invention is preferably asheet or roll of a polymeric mesh material. However, it will beappreciated that metal wire fencing (e.g., chicken wire), rope orindividual strands of material (e.g., fishing line) may also be used inconnection with the present invention. As seen in FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B,the fencing material 18 is secured to the pole 14 by use of a fastener16.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown an alternativeembodiment of the fencing system 100 constructed in accordance with thepresent invention. The alternative embodiment of the fencing system 100includes an anchor 102 having an adjustable base member 104. A pole 14is mounted over and supported on the anchor 102 and is seated on thebase member 104. A fastener 16 is positioned on the pole 14 and is usedfor securing fencing material 18.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, the anchor 102 of the alternativeembodiment includes a body having a spike portion 106, a pole supportportion 108 and a generally cross or “X” shape such that the anchor 102includes four longitudinally extending flange portions 110. The end 112of the support portion 108 of the anchor 102 is flat, which assists auser in striking the anchor 102 with a hammer or like device (notshown).

[0047] The base member 104 preferably includes a cross or “X” shapedaperture 114 and is slidably engageable with the flange portions 110 ofthe anchor 102.

[0048] At least one borehole 116 is disposed in the side of the basemember 104 that extends through the base member 104 to the “X” shapedaperture 114. The base member is removably secured to the anchor 102 bythe use of a bolt 118 that threadably engages the borehole 118.Therefore, it will be appreciated that a user may adjust the position ofthe base member 104 on the anchor 102 in order to avoid driving thespike portion 106 of the anchor 102 too far into the ground. It willalso be appreciated that the base member 104 of the anchor 102 of thealternative embodiment may be manufactured as an integral part of theanchor 102. Furthermore, as will shown and discussed below (see e.g.,FIG. 14), when the fencing material 18 of the fence system is partiallyburied, it is often necessary to dig a trench for the fencing material18 after the pole(s) 104 are in place. Accordingly, it can be understoodthat a base member(s) 104 that is secured along the length of an anchor102 (which preferably has a spike 106 that extends into the grounddeeper than the trench) will maintain the pole 14 at a level position orheight despite the fact that a user may be digging the trench in closeproximity to the pole 14 and anchor 102.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, there is shown a second alternativeembodiment of a fencing system 200. The fencing system 200 isconstructed substantially similar to that of the other above-describedembodiments in that it includes an anchor 102 (or anchor 12) having anadjustable base member 104. A pole 14 is mounted over and supported onthe anchor 102 and is seated on the base member 104. A fastener 16 ispositioned on the pole 14 and is used for securing fencing material 18.

[0050] Still referring to FIGS. 14-16, but as best shown in FIG. 15, agate assembly 210 is provided to allow a user with a quick and easysystem for entering and exiting an area enclosed by the fencing system200. The gate assembly 210 includes a connector lock 212 that has a capportion 214 that has a first 216 and a second 218 side. A pair ofengagement members 220 extends from the second side 218 of the capportion 214 and includes flange members 222 that extend radially outwardfrom a center axis 224. Each flange member 222 has a predeterminedlength (radius) such that the engagement members 220 have a snug fitwith the interior of the open end 29 of a pole 14.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 14, the gate assembly 210 may also includebarrier 226 for blocking of burrowing or digging animals. The barrier226 has a tubular body 228 having a series of boreholes (not shown). Aflange 230 extends from the body 228 and an end 231 of the flange 230opposite the body 228 is bent back onto itself to form a hook 232. Theflange 230 will preferably extend from the body 228 a length between oneand eighteen inches, and the body 228 will have a length equal to orgreater than the width of fence portion 233 of the gate assembly 210. Asecuring strip 234 (e.g., a thin strip of metal or plastic) having aplurality of holes 238 is provided to assist in removablyattaching/sandwiching an end 237 of the fence portion 233 to the body228.

[0052] As best shown in FIG. 14, the barrier 226 is buried in the groundproximate the gate assembly 210 such that the flange 230 is disposedbelow ground while the body 228 remains above ground. Once buried, thehook 232 of the flange 230 prevents the easy removal or relocation ofthe barrier 226. The end 237 of the fence portion 233 of the gateassembly 210 is then sandwiched between the body 228 and the securingstrip 234. The strip 234 and body 228 are thereafter removably securedtogether by pins 239 that extend through the boreholes (not shown, 238)of the body 228 and the strip 234.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the connector lock 212 isremovably mounted to a pair of closely spaced poles 14 (i.e. a movablegate pole and a second pole). The engagement members 222 of theconnector lock 212 are removably mounted in the open ends 29 of the twoclosely spaced poles 14 such that the two poles 14 are secured together.In FIG. 14 it can be seen that each pole 14 of the pair of closelyspaced poles are supported by the pole support portion 108 of an anchor102. However, the pole support portion 108 for the pole 14 of the gateassembly 210 is shorter such that the pole 14 may be easily lifted offthe support portion 108 (to permit entry into the enclosed area)following the removal of the connector lock 212 and the disconnecting ofthe barrier 226.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, there is shown a pole level 270for use in connection with the poles 14 or anchors 12, 102 of thepresent invention. The pole level 270 includes a sleeve 272 and a plate274 that is mounted on one end of the sleeve 272 perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the sleeve 272. An opening 276 is provided in theplate 274 and is aligned with an opening 278 defined by the interior 280the sleeve 282. A first 284 and a second 286 bubble level are positionedat an orientation perpendicular to each other on a top surface 288 ofthe plate 274.

[0055] As best shown in FIG. 18, in operation the pole level 270 isslidably disposed around a pole 14. Once in position, a user willobserve the first and second bubble levels 284, 286 to manually adjustthe position of the pole to ensure that the pole 14 is vertical.Additionally, it will also be appreciated that the pole 14 level mayalso be used in connection with an anchor 12, 102 in a fashion similarto the pole 14 to ensure that the anchor 12, 102 is vertical prior tothe placement of the pole 14 on the anchor 12, 102.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, there is shown a mallet 290 foruse in hammering or otherwise forcedly embedding an anchor 12, 102 intothe ground. As best shown in FIG. 19, the mallet 290 includes a body 292having a number of grooves 294 complementary to the flange portions 22of the anchor 12, 102. Accordingly, the mallet 290 is positionable overan end of the anchor 12, 102 and is adapted to be struck by a hammer 296or other object to aide in the driving of the anchor 12, 102 into theground. A step 298 is provided around the body 292 of the mallet 290 sothat the sleeve 272 of the pole level 270 may be disposed around andsupport by the body 292 (see FIG. 19).

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 21, there is shown a sprinkler assembly 350for use with a pole 14 of the fencing system 10, 100, 200 of the presentinvention. The sprinkler assembly 350 includes a base 351 that is shapedto fit on, around or in the end of a pole 14. A sprinkler 352 ispositioned on top of the base 351 at one end 29 of a pole 14. A fitting356 for a hose 358 (or the like that is connected to a fluid (i.e.,water) supply source 360) is positioned along the side of the base 351.A conduit 354 extends from the fitting 356 through the base 351 to thesprinkler 352 to communicate the fluid (i.e., water) from the fitting tothe sprinkler 352.

[0058] Use of the sprinkler assembly 350 provides a user with an easymeans for watering the area enclosed by the fencing system 10, 100, 200without having to open or close a gate or otherwise set up a separatesprinkler system in or near the enclosed area.

[0059] While the present invention has been described as carried out inspecific embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be limited therebybut is intended to cover the invention broadly within the scope andspirit of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A fence system comprising: an anchor that is insertable intothe ground; a pole having a first and a second open end, the second openend being mounted over the anchor such that the pole is supported by theanchor; a fastener located on the pole; and a fencing material that issecured to the pole by the fastener.
 2. The fence system of claim 1,further comprising a sprinkler assembly removably mounted on the pole.3. The fence system of claim 2, wherein the sprinkler assembly includesa base and a sprinkler positioned on the base, the base being operableto be removably mounted on the first open end of the pole.
 4. The fencesystem of claim 1, further comprising a pole level.
 5. The fence systemof claim 5, wherein the pole level comprises a sleeve, a plate securedto the sleeve and a first and second bubble level positioned on theplate.
 6. The fence system of claim 5, further comprising a mallet thatis operable to engage the anchor for assisting with the embedding of theanchor into the ground.
 7. The fence system of claim 6, wherein themallet comprises a step that is engagable by the sleeve of the polelevel.
 8. The fence system of claim 5, wherein the sleeve of the polelevel comprises a tubular shaped wall, the wall having a longitudinalaxis, a pair of open ends and an interior surface, and the plate issecured on one of the open ends of the sleeve, perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis and comprises an opening that is aligned with the openend of the sleeve to which the plate is secured.
 9. The fence system ofclaim 1, further comprising a mallet that is operable to engage theanchor for assisting with the embedding of the anchor into the ground.10. The fence system of claim 9, further comprising a pole level. 11.The fence system of claim 10, wherein the mallet comprises a step thatis engagable by the pole level.
 12. The fence system of claim 9, whereinthe anchor further comprises a plurality of flanges and the malletfurther comprises a body having a plurality of grooves that arecomplementary to the flanges of the anchor such that the mallet ispositionable on the anchor.
 13. A fence system comprising: a pluralityof anchors that are insertable into the ground; a plurality of poles,each pole having an first and second open end, the second open end ofeach pole being mounted over one anchor of the plurality of anchors suchthat an anchor supports each pole; a gate assembly, the gate assemblyincluding a gate pole having a first and second open end; a fencingmaterial that is secured to the plurality of poles and the gateassembly; and a connector lock removably mounted on a first open end ofthe gate pole and the first end of one pole of the plurality of poles.14. The fence system of claim 13, further comprising a sprinklerassembly removably mounted on one pole of the plurality of poles. 15.The fence system of claim 14, wherein the sprinkler assembly includes abase and a sprinkler positioned on the base, the base being operable tobe removably mounted on the first open end of a pole.
 16. The fencesystem of claim 1, further comprising a pole level.
 17. The fence systemof claim 16, wherein the pole level comprises a sleeve, a plate securedto the sleeve and a first and second bubble level positioned on theplate.
 18. The fence system of claim 17, further comprising a malletthat is operable to engage the anchor for assisting with the embeddingof an anchor into the ground.
 19. The fence system of claim 18, whereinthe mallet comprises a step that is engagable by the sleeve of the polelevel.
 20. The fence system of claim 17, wherein the sleeve of the polelevel comprises a tubular shaped wall, the wall having a longitudinalaxis, a pair of open ends and an interior surface, and the plate issecured on one of the open ends of the sleeve, perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis and comprises an opening that is aligned with the openend of the sleeve to which the plate is secured.
 21. The fence system ofclaim 13, further comprising a mallet that is operable to engage ananchor for assisting with the embedding of the anchor into the ground.22. The fence system of claim 21, further comprising a pole level. 23.The fence system of claim 22, wherein the mallet comprises a step thatis engagable by the pole level.
 24. The fence system of claim 21,wherein each anchor of the plurality of anchors further comprises aplurality of flanges and the mallet further comprises a body having aplurality of grooves that are complementary to the flanges of an anchorsuch that the mallet is positionable on an anchor.
 25. The fence systemof claim 13, wherein each pole of the plurality of poles comprises aplastic tubular pole.
 26. The fence system of claim 13, wherein eachpole of the plurality of poles comprises an aluminum tubular pole. 27.The fence system of claim 13, wherein each anchor of the pluralityanchors comprises a polymeric material.
 28. The fence system of claim13, wherein each anchor of the plurality of anchors comprises aluminum.29. The fence system of claim 13, further comprising a plurality offasteners, the fasteners being operable to secure the fencing materialto the poles and gate pole.
 30. The fence system of claim 13, whereinthe fencing material comprises a polymeric mesh material.
 31. The fencesystem of claim 13, wherein the fencing material comprises a metal wirefencing.
 32. The fence system of claim 13, wherein each anchor of theanchors comprises a stake portion and a pole support portion.
 33. Thefence system of claim 32, wherein each anchor of the anchors comprises abase member